Tag Archives: Salt River Fields

The 6th Annual Arizona Taco Festival is set to bring another year of fiesta fun with more than 50 teams competing for $10,000 in cash, while an expected 25,000 attendees nosh their way through more than 100 types of tacos throughout the weekend.

Arizona Taco Festival, Sat. and Sun., Oct. 17 & 18, will run from 11am-7pm each day, offering $2 tacos in chicken, pork, beef, seafood, veggie, dessert, and anything-goes varieties, as well as salsa, guacamole and other related Mexican fare. Restaurants, caterers, amateurs, and nightclubs are prepared to sell enough tacos to cumulatively dish out 100,000 total tacos for attendees.

The Arizona Taco Festival pits these participants against each other in a double-blind competition. Tacos are submitted to more than 50 National Taco Association judges sequestered in a closed tent for truly anonymous scoring. Points are awarded and weighed for presentation, taste and texture. Cumulatively, the scores lead to an overall Grand Champion title and $1,000 checks each day.

Outside the judge’s tent, this exciting festival rages on with live Lucha Libre wrestling, a now-legendary Tequila Expo with more than 30 brands participating, and live surf and salsa bands on the main stage. Contests for ‘best sombrero,’ the prettiest Chihuahua, hot chili pepper eating, taco take-downs, and flair bartending round out the fun.

SRF Hosts Sixth Annual Arizona Taco Festival / 2

The festival humbly began on a dirt lot in the heart of downtown Scottsdale and has since moved to an eight-acre grass field at the Spring Training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks — Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The Arizona Taco Festival is believed to be the world’s first taco festival, and the Valley’s fastest growing culinary event.

Tequila Expo Tent, Sat., Oct. 17. The main tent hosts the popular Tequila Expo. Inside, patrons can sample from more than 100 tequilas. A tasting pass is $20 for 10 samples of fine tequila.

Live Lucha Libre Wrestling. Enjoy live Lucha Libre wrestling all weekend long from comfortable seating around the ring. Also, get a change to meet the wrestlers themselves during the meet-and-greet.

In addition, the diverse foodie event also features:

Taco Judges. 50 certified judges using a double-blind scoring system created by the National Taco Association will award cash and trophies for each category.

Main Stage. The Main Stage will offer constant live music from surf to salsa.

Tequila Herradura Barrel Art Unveiling. Local artists painted the heads of Herradura Tequila barrels prior to the festival, and attendees can vote on their favorite.

Decked-out Lounges by Local Businesses. Whether it’s shaded seating or a party tent for dancing, local restaurants and bars will go all-out this year to turn the Arizona Taco Festival into the biggest party in the Valley.

Tickets & Parking. General admission tickets are $12 online, $15 at the gate; kids 12 and under FREE. General admission two-day passes are $20 online. VIP tickets are $85 advance online and $100 day of and include limited drinks from the VIP bar, taco tokens, and private restroom facilities. Parking is FREE for all patrons. Purchase tickets online at www.SaltRiverFields.com/events.aspx.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, in partnership with Arizona Public Service (APS), have teamed up for the sixth annual APS Green Game, which will be held on Earth Day this Wednesday. The goal of the event is to educate fans on how to become more energy efficient.

In support of all the green efforts on Wednesday, all electric vehicles will receive free parking in the Chase Field Garage. During the game, the APS Green Team will collect recyclables in between each inning throughout the stadium and fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #APSGreenGame to see their energy-efficient social media posts on dbTV. As fans leave the stadium after the game, the D-backs and APS will hand out 10,000 CFL light bulbs. During the APS Green Game, the D-backs will purchase green energy from APS to power Chase Field. The total average consumption for the game will be approximately 238,000 kilowatt hours (kWh).

The D-backs are constantly seeking ways to be more energy efficient and more sustainable. Some of the top practices are highlighted by the following:

• Hosted the first-ever Zero-Waste Spring Training game in Arizona on March 13, 2014 at Salt River Fields to bring awareness to recycling and composting

• In 2014, the D-backs replaced fluorescent lighting along the main concourse with energy-efficient LED lighting that reduced the main concourse lighting power consumption by 60 percent.

• Fans with electric powered vehicles can charge their cars at one of the three electric car charging stations located at the northwest corner of 4th Street and Jackson at every game this season.

• The D-backs and Levy Restaurants donated four tons of leftover food after games in 2014 to Church on the Street, an equivalent of 7,500 meals for people in need in the Phoenix community.

• The APS Solar Pavilion, a 17,280 square-foot shade structure that generates 100,000 kWh of solar energy annually, enough electricity to power the lights at Chase Field for 11 home games.

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets for the game at www.dbacks.com/earthday and $2 from each ticket will benefit Phoenix Revitalization Corporation.

The 5th Annual Larry Fitzgerald Double Play Celebrity Softball Game’s releases their 2015 celebrity roster for the highly anticipated charity event at Salt River Fields, Sat., April 25, 6pm – 8:30pm. Gates open at 5:30pm; the Homerun Derby begins at 6pm and the game begins at 7pm.

This year two players, Michael Dreyer and Kyle Earl, from the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team will take the field. The Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team comprises veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs in service to their country. The team travels throughout the country playing competitive, and in celebrity and exhibition games. Their mission: “To inspire and educate others while enhancing the health and welfare of Wounded Warrior Amputees.”

The April 25 event has also a partnered with United Food Bank. Fans are invited to bring five cans of food to be entered into a drawing for prizes and memorabilia during the game.

General admission tickets are $20. This year an exclusive new ticket opportunity is available: four tickets in each dugout allows fans to sit in the dugout with players. These exclusive tickets in either the First or Third Base Dugouts are $500 each. This event also offers free parking for all guests.

The 6th annual Arizona BBQ Festival is returning to Salt River Fields Sat., May 2, from noon to 10 p.m. The more than 25 top barbecue purveyors are only part of what’s expected to draw the 15,000-plus people.

REDNECK GAMES. Back by popular demand for a third year is the Redneck Games Arena which will feature contests free to enter such as arm wrestling, watermelon seed spitting, bobbing for pig’s feet, beer pong and toilet seat horseshoes. Later in the day, the famous Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots beauty pageant takes place. Among the new additions: duck hunt video games stations and cow milking races.

BACON STATION. In between bites of brisket, pulled pork, and smoked chicken, guests can stop by what turned out to be the most popular part of the 2014 BBQ Festival – a vendor stand serving nothing but bowls of cooked bacon for $2 each. The event served more than 1,000 pounds of bacon last year, and event planners expect that number to grow.

BBQ. There will be more than 25 top pit-masters dishing out protein-packed pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken and sides. Vendors include the popular Honey Bears, Tom’s BBQ, Montana BBQ, Ragin’ Cajun and many more. To keep the event affordable, every vendor will offer a $2 sample item, up to three items in the $4-$8 range, and one full menu item priced higher (i.e., full rack of ribs, meat by the pound, etc.).

MUSIC & VODKA LEMONADES. The event’s Main Stage will be located under a giant party tent where Tito’s Vodka Lemonades will serve drinks on this warm May day. There, guests can enjoy performances by Neon Circus, voted “best Brookes & Dunn Tribute Band,” or The Troubadour Experience, paying tribute to country legend George Strait.

MECHANICAL BULL. Two mechanical bulls will allow guests to ride off against each other.

KID’S ZONE. There also will be a large Kid’s Zone (additional fees may apply) including bounce houses, slides, rides and more.

TICKETS. $12 GA and FREE parking; kids 12 and under FREE; $60 advance VIP, $75 at the gate. VIP tickets includes 5 drink tokens, 4 food tokens, private restrooms and seats next to the main stage. For tickets and information, visit www.azbbqfestival.com.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will host Arizona State University for the first game in 2015 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 3 and fans will have much to look forward to at the D-backs’ award-winning Spring Training facility, including a 3-D printer and a food truck featured on the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”

The concessions at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick offer a diverse food selection and this year fans will be able to enjoy select fresh Maine lobster dishes from Cousins Maine Lobster food truck, as seen on “Shark Tank.” Another exciting addition this season includes Dunkin’ Donuts, which will feature freshly made donuts and hot and iced coffee. The Banana Boat Lawn will offer additional beer portables. Fans can also enjoy new food items at two grill cart portables, including beef, chicken or vegetable quesadillas, gluten-free options and fresh-made guacamole at Southwestern Fare (located along the 3rd base line main concourse) and three handcrafted gourmet sliders at Stolen Base Sliders (located along 1st base line main concourse). Also new in 2015, fans will be able to purchase a 32 oz. souvenir beer mug at all beer portables throughout the stadium in which fans will be able to bring back the mug for discounted refills through the duration of Spring Training.

Fans can also look forward to a 3-D printer along the main concourse. Salt River Fields will be the first and only Spring Training venue to offer the advanced technology which can create custom busts and statues of fans in D-backs team colors, jerseys and logos for a unique keepsake. In the Team Shop, fans can choose from a wide selection of fun and colorful tie-dye merchandise by Liquid Blue. The Team Shop will also feature exclusive Spring Training merchandise such as a commemorative Rawlings game baseball including new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s signature as well as the Salt River Fields logo. The Salt River Fields Team Shop is now open and will include popular MLB licensees such as Nike, New Era, Majestic and ’47 Brand.

D-backs players will sign autographs for free, courtesy of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, before each home game from 11:45 a.m.-Noon on day games and from 5:45-6:00 p.m. on night games. Also new in 2015 is an expanded souvenir program available for $2 which includes 12 commemorative baseball trading cards featuring D-backs and Rockies players.

Tickets for Spring Training games at Salt River Fields start at $9 and can be purchased at www.dbacks.com/spring or by calling 480.362.WINS. Fans can also enjoy games from one of three shaded party decks with the comfort of padded seats on the second and third levels and expansive views of the entire field with majestic mountain vistas in the background for as low as $20.

11/13: Third Annual Fall for the Arts ArtWalk
50 local galleries are participating in the third annual fall event to showcase some artwork, exhibition openings and live auctions. The summer exhibitions are ending to make way for a new season with new artwork, and the walk will feature the new art along with some artist demos.Scottsdale Arts District, Main St. and Marshall Way, Scottsdale, Thursday, Nov. 13, free

11/13-16: Jay Mohr
The former Saturday Night Live cast member, stand-up comedian, actor and author is bringing his stand-up to Phoenix. After beginning in stand-up at age 16, Mohr joined SNL in the mid-90’s and followed up his primetime success with roles in the movies Jerry Maguire and Picture Perfect. Mohr has also penned a best-selling novel about his time on SNL and hosts a sports radio show, Jay Mohr Sports. Comedy Central named Mohr one of the 100 best stand-up comics of all time, and his show promises to be a good time for those looking to laugh.Stand Up Live, 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, Thursday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, Sunday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., $30

11/15: ROC Race Phoenix
The Ridiculous Obstacle Course 5k race brings a new challenge to the 5k and makes it a lot more interesting for those who get bored with the average run. The ROC Race Phoenix makes participants go through a series of unusual and challenging obstacles before they can reach the end of the race. The race is untimed and open to anyone willing to traverse the 15 obstacles, including rubber wrecking balls, a moon bounce, an inflatable water slide and a Tarzan-style swing.Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Saturday, Nov. 15, 7:30 a.m., $63

11/15: Pie Social
The fifth annual Pie Social on Roosevelt Row, sponsored by Chow Bella, is a must for all Valley pie lovers. Awards are given to the 15 attending chefs for things such as best in show, and attendees are welcome to bring two pies to the table in exchange for five tasting tickets to try the pies of professional chefs. This festival is all about pie, lawn games, relaxation and a fun afternoon spent eating as much pie as you can handle.Roosevelt Row, Second St. and Roosevelt, Phoenix, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2-5 p.m., admission free, $10 for 5 tasting tickets

Locally-based Pride Group is taking over the Valley one venue at a time. The full-service event company aims to be the Single Simple Solution™ for their clients. As of May 1, 2014, Pride Group will be the exclusive event services provider for Salt River Fields. Among the many services Pride Group will offer, they will supply the venue with tables and chairs, mobile restroom suites, fencing, crowd control equipment, premium portable toilets, power generators, light towers, furniture and décor.

“Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is excited to have added Pride Group to its team,” says Salt River Fields at Talking Stick General Manager, Dave Dunne. “They are a tremendous partner and Salt River Fields is looking forward to working with them on all of our festivals, concerts and special events. Pride Group brings a professionalism that is unmatched in the industry and will only make our events that much better,” he adds.

“We are truly excited to partner long term with one of the most elite venues in Arizona,” says Pride Group CEO, Robb M. Corwin. “Their stellar customer service philosophies, desire to be the very best at what they do and attention to detail, put us in perfect harmony with one another.”

The two companies will work together to provide the best possible experience for those in attendance at any of the venue’s various events.

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community may have one of the best-located pieces of commercial real estate in the Phoenix Metro. It owns a 9.5-mile long area, known as the Pima Corridor, parallel to the Loop 101, a beltway connected to nearly all area freeways. Of that commercially zoned stretch, 143 acres remain undeveloped. Many Valley residents primarily associate the Talking Stick entertainment district with the Pima Corridor, the SRPMIC is seeking significant non-entertainment development within and without Talking Stick, including two charter schools and also procuring resources to update its existing data center.

“The SRPMIC is a pretty sophisticated community and as the community grows in population and business ventures, the adoption of technology also grows,” says SmithGroupJJR’s Technology Studio Leader Rob Sty. “[Records are] all stored electronically now. The community has gotten to the point that it needs to expand its data.”

As with any building on the community’s land, the data center must incorporate the culture’s aesthetic integrity. The challenge is that data centers, out of concern for security, tend to also be designed as background buildings.

“Architects and engineers do not always get to put that design element into a data center. It’s interesting for us,” Sty says, adding that designing a project for the SRPMIC was a community effort: “It’s a lot more interesting when all the groups are engaged. Everyone has a voice, and you come out with a better project.”

NOTCHES ON A TALKING STICK
A Talking Stick is a contemporary representation of the traditional O’odham (Pima) calendar stick, on which carvers recorded significant events and milestones throughout the year. It is also the namesake of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s entertainment district, which comprises about half of the tribes’ commercial land reserves. Talking Stick is a 1.1 MSF entertainment district consisting of a casino, resort, golf course, spring training facility and retail center called The Pavilions. Opened in the ‘80s, the Pavilions represents the second carving on Talking Stick’s calendar — the first being the union of the two tribes who comprise the community. The bottom of the stick shows vacant space with room to grow — and one of the many projects underway this year and next may just be the next addition.

The 1.1MSF Talking Stick’s build-up is due to a pro-development attitude of the community leaders as well as developers keen on getting their foot in the door of a burgeoning entertainment district. Since much of the traffic speeds by Talking Stick at 65 mph, designing for the corridor requires those such as PHX Architecture’s Erik Peterson to not only create something fun to visit but also something eye-catching from afar.

Peterson’s design for The Cove Family Fun Center, a metallic mesh-wrapped building with blue accent lighting around it is certainly made to pique the attention of freeway passengers. The building has to capture your attention, he says of his recent work on The Cove Family Fun Center — a 60KSF entertainment center. The basket-like building is set to break ground on SRPMIC later this year. Nick Andrews, developer of The Cove, was drawn to the Salt-River Pima Indian Community for his first project on tribal land due to the community’s proactive reputation.

“They’re really pro-growth when it comes to developers like us who have an entertainment-related venue,” Andrews says.

Just in the last 12 months, Talking Stick has seen development of a Courtyard Marriott, OdySea projects, Top Golf and other attractions. Blessing McAnlis-Vasquez, marketing project manager of Talking Stick, says it’s a combination of tribal leadership and private developers’ vision for tourism and entertainment amenities that has led to its recent success.

“Our leadership always looks ahead seven generations,” McAnlis-Vasquez says, though the present is just as exciting.

Though the SRPMIC has a population of 6,000, Salt River Fields, built in 2009, has more than 12 annual events, some of which bring up to 15,000 guests. The proposed OdySea Aquarium, set to break ground later this year, is designed to accommodate 15,000 visitors a day and will be the largest aquarium in the Southwest. Leasing at the Pavilions is at 87 percent, up from 50 percent at the downturn of the recession.

The shopping center has also seen more than $17M in renovations. Though The Cove Family Fun Center hasn’t signed a lease yet, the 60KSF entertainment venue is working proactively with the tribe to open for business by summer 2015.

THE RISE, FALL & REBIRTH OF THE PAVILIONS
When the Pavilions at Talking Stick was built, it was the freshest take on retail super centers. As time passed, ownership and management changed hands and the center fell into disrepair. Marty De Rito and business partner Chuck Carlise scooped up the property for $85M in January 2008 with 85 percent of the property leased. In 10 months, the recession dropped vacancy to 50 percent. Six years later, De Rito is just now breaking even on its purchase.

“This property could have taken our company down,” Carlise says. “Fortunately, now we’re about 87 percent leased. The tribe has been phenomenal in assisting us with the renaissance of this property.”

Just like the road through the center of the Pavilions to SRF, it goes both ways.

It was De Rito who got wind of the Diamondbacks’ desire to move north for spring training in 2009, and Carlise attributes his partner to bringing what would be a catalyst for the entire district to Salt River Fields.

“It’s an interesting thing when you have non-retail activity going on at the center. Salt River Fields helped this property to survive,” Carlise says.

Though SRF was a catalyst for businesses built up around the area and meant a surge of restaurant interest in Pavilions space, there was still one more hurdle De Rito Partners looked to clear — alcohol.

Until 2010, the only establishments that could serve liquor on tribal land were the hotel, casino and golf course — all owned by SRPMIC. De Rito Partners couldn’t bring restaurant tenants to the Pavilions if they needed a liquor license. Now, there’s a Red Robin under construction as well as business with Buffalo Wild Wings.

“There was no barrier for entry after that,” Carlise says.

The other saving graces for the Pavilions — lending (De Rito’s lender was General Electric, a bit more flexible than a regulated bank would have been) and moving an office to the Pavilions.

“We’ve probably saved half a million dollars just being onsite,” Carlise says, adding that the added attention to the property is what has contributed to the Pavilions’ return to its potential.

PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE

OdySea AquariumDevelopment and Management Team: Amram Knishinsky, Martin Pollack and Rubin StahlGeneral Contractor: McCarthy Building CompaniesArchitect: Deutsch Architecture GroupLocation: Via De Ventura and the 101 in Scottsdale at
the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian CommunitySize: 200KSFBrokerage Firm: N/AValue: $175MEstimated completion date: 4Q 2015
The OdySea Aquarium will be the largest aquarium in the Southwest and in the unlikely setting of the Sonoran desert. The two-level facility will span more than 200KSF, and visitors will move to each level via acrylic tunnels while viewing animals of rivers and oceans in the world.

Noah Webster School – Pima CampusDeveloper: Noah Webster Schools & Salt River DevcoGeneral Contractor: Adolfson & Peterson ConstructionArchitect: Adolfson & Peterson ConstructionLocation: Pima & Jackrabbit roads, ScottsdaleSize: 51,502 SFValue: $5.4MCompleted date: July 2014
The two-story framed K-6 charter school facility will feature 32 classrooms, including music and art rooms, a multi-purpose gym with cafeteria and stage, office space, conference rooms, play fields and bus parking. The project has been in planning and design for a number of years and the groundbreaking represents a significant milestone for Noah Webster Basic School and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s STEM education.

Great Hearts Academy – Cicero CampusDeveloper: De Rito Partners DevelopmentGeneral Contractor: Chasse Building TeamArchitect: GenslerLocation: NWC Loop 101 & Indian Bend Road, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian CommunitySize: 85KSFBrokerage Firm: Keyser/Mulhern Development TeamValue: $10MEstimated completion date: July 2014
This nonprofit, tuition-free K-12 charter school will cater to 1,200 children in an area that was once occupied by a Chuck E. Cheese at the Pavilions Shopping Center. Phase I will accommodate students in grade K-7 and Phase II to 12th grade.

Four Peaks Brewing Company will be showcasing their beers throughout Cactus League stadiums this Spring beginning February 26th. “Response to Four Peaks beers by stadium concessionaires has quadrupled for 2014 over last year” according to Greg Ross, Four Peaks Marketing Director.

Stadiums include Salt River Fields, Peoria Sports Complex, Camelback Ranch, Scottsdale Stadium, Maryvale Stadium, Surprise Stadium and Tempe Diablo Stadium. Kilt Lifter, recent Silver Medalist at the Great American Beer Festival will be featured on multiple taps at every stadium. Other styles such as 8th Street Pale Ale, Sunbru, Peach Ale, Hefeweizen and Oatmeal Stout will be on tap throughout the stadiums as well. Salt River Fields, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, will also feature local craft beers from both states in in cans.

New for 2014 will be the introduction of Four Peaks Short Hop ISA. With a lower alcohol percentage less than 5%, it’s a full flavored Session IPA. Ross adds, “Four Peaks is known for its balanced and seasonable beers. We don’t feel higher alcohol content makes better beer. We want local baseball fans and those from all over the United States to be able to enjoy a couple beers while watching their favorite team and maintain control over an afternoon of fun.”

The 4th Annual Arizona Taco Festival, dubbed by USA Today as one of the “Top 10 Fall Fests to Feast At,” returns to Salt River Fields for another year of fiesta fun with more than 50 teams competing for $10,000 in prizes.

Arizona Taco Festival from will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Oct. 19and 20. The Fest will offer $2 tacos in chicken, pork, beef, seafood and veggie varieties, as well as salsa, guacamole and anything-goes tacos from more than 50 “competitors” throughout the weekend. Teams are prepared to sell enough tacos to cumulatively dish out 100,000 total tacos for attendees.

“We’ve put together a blockbuster this year, an event worthy of two full days of taco intensity,” event co-founder David Tyda said.

Aaron Studebaker, Salt River Fields Director of Sales and Marketing, said: “After the success of the Third Annual Arizona Taco Festival, we are ready to produce another smooth-running event at Salt River Fields. We strive to deliver exceptional events to the community, and this taco fest is gearing up to be nothing less than exceptional.”

To judge the more than 50 taco teams who will compete for the $10,000 total prize purse, competitors submit tacos to 50 National Taco Association judges who are sequestered in a closed tent for truly anonymous judging. Competing are local restaurants, bars, amateur competitors and caterers.

Returning to the event this year is the famous Lucha Libre wrestling ring, the Tequila Expo with more than 30 brands participating, last years’ wildly popular “Ay Chihuahua! Beauty Pageant,” and surf/rock bands on the Main Stage.

Tim McGraw takes center stage on August 10. Tickets are on sale now for Tim McGraw’s Two Lanes of Freedom tour at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. saltriverfields.com/Events.as

TALKING STICK RESORT

Release Pool Parties are heating up at Talking Stick Resort. Enjoy drink specials, promotional giveaways, cabana rentals and more. And don’t miss poolside performances by the region’s best DJs. Every Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. Visit talkingstickresort.com/scottsdale-pool-party.aspx for more information.

The Spa at Talking Stick offers Luxury for Locals, Sunday through Thursday, now through September 30. Choose from three 60-minute spa treatments for only $89. Visit talkingstickresort.com/spa.aspx for more information.

THE PAVILIONS AT TALKING STICK

Race in to the Pavilions for the grand opening of Octane Raceway! The celebration weekend begins July 19. There will be fun activities and events all weekend, including a Hooter girl’s race on Saturday night. Please visit thepavilionsattalkingstick.com/ for more info.

Grab a handful of napkins and a handful of your closest friends and head on down to Buffalo Wild Wings, opening July 29 at the Pavilions at Talking Stick!

BUTTERFLY WONDERLAND

Life Cycle of a Butterfly Workshop– Monday, August 26, 2013, 6-8 p.m.

$15 for Founder’s Members & Annual Passes and $20 for the general public

To register, contact Adriane Grimaldi at (480) 800-3000, ext. 207

Guests will also be taught about the lifecycle of these incredible insects from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and then to butterfly as they go through the transformation process. The class will also include tips about where to see butterflies in Arizona, suggested books for learning more about butterfly gardening and hands-on butterfly examples.

Tee up at Talking Stick Golf Club – this summer, juniors play free at Talking Stick Golf Club when playing with a paying adult. June-September; please visit talkingstickgolfclub.com/index.php for details.

Talking Stick: A Cultural and Entertainment Destination is conveniently located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community at Indian Bend and the 101 freeway. We invite you to shop, dine, play and stay with us and be a part of what everyone is talking about! talkingstickarizona.com

The ultimate barbecue showdown gallops into Salt River Fields as the 4th Annual Arizona BBQ Festival hits the fields on April 20th.

Drawing nearly 18,000 participants last year, Salt River Fields became home of the Arizona BBQ. With wild games and scrumptious grub, event organizers decided to add a few more “Honky-Tonk” elements to this year’s Festival.

This year’s fans will have the opportunity to enter the Redneck Games Arena, where festival goers will leave their business attire at home and put their hick talents to the test with hilarious games and redneck-inspired competitions.

“Although some of the most popular barbecue teams from years past will still be on hand to sell their award-winning ‘que,” says event Co-Founder, David Tyda, “we wanted the event to be more lighthearted this year. And what’s more lighthearted than mullets and beer pong?”

Outside the arena, the compelling combination of live music on the Main Stage and the Flavored Vodka Tasting Tent will make participants go buck wild. The Festival will also be a mouthwatering food warehouse with everything from $2 sample-cups to full racks of ribs and BBQ plates.

Throughout the festival, there will be cooking demonstrations, kid’s zones, bartender challenges and much more. The Redneck Games Arena’s contest schedule and entry forms will be released soon at www.azbbqfestival.com.

The ultimate barbecue showdown gallops into Salt River Fields as the 4th Annual Arizona BBQ Festival hits the fields on April 20th.

Drawing nearly 18,000 participants last year, Salt River Fields became home of the Arizona BBQ. With wild games and scrumptious grub, event organizers decided to add a few more “Honky-Tonk” elements to this year’s Festival.

This year’s fans will have the opportunity to enter the Redneck Games Arena, where festival goers will leave their business attire at home and put their hick talents to the test with hilarious games and redneck-inspired competitions.

“Although some of the most popular barbecue teams from years past will still be on hand to sell their award-winning ‘que,” says event Co-Founder, David Tyda, “we wanted the event to be more lighthearted this year. And what’s more lighthearted than mullets and beer pong?”

Outside the arena, the compelling combination of live music on the Main Stage and the Flavored Vodka Tasting Tent will make participants go buck wild. The Festival will also be a mouthwatering food warehouse with everything from $2 sample-cups to full racks of ribs and BBQ plates.

Throughout the festival, there will be cooking demonstrations, kid’s zones, bartender challenges and much more. The Redneck Games Arena’s contest schedule and entry forms will be released soon at www.azbbqfestival.com.

In an effort to bolster leisure traffic to Scottsdale this spring training season, the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a variety of targeted ad campaigns in its top feeder markets including Denver and San Francisco.
Following the launch of the warm-weather campaign, which featured wrapping three New York subways, the bureau has unveiled exterior and interior ad placements on the Denver Light Rail to promote Scottsdale’s spring training season. An estimated 53 million riders will see the baseball-focused advertisements while commuting in Denver through March 28.

To further enhance the campaign, the bureau has also launched “30 Days of Giveaways,” a contest that allows visitors to enter once a day for a chance to win a variety of Scottsdale prizes, including restaurant gift certificates, a hot-air balloon ride for two, hotel stays for two, and an airplane ride over the city. In 2012, this contest received 1,460 entries, a number which is expected to increase this spring training season with the light rail wrap initiative and additional advertisements.

The bureau will also promote 2012 World Series Champions San Francisco Giants’ spring training season in the San Francisco market via Weather.com. Users who access Weather.com from a desktop or mobile app will see a banner ad, which will direct viewers to PlayBallinScottsdale.com. Spring training ads will also be featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, the second largest newspaper in the western United States.

New pages on the bureau’s site will help spring training fans plan their trip with information on nearby resorts and hotels, parking details and maps, dining options, plus information on Cactus League’s Legacy Trail and the bureau’s concierge service. With help from the bureau’s members, special spring training packages and coupons are also available to visitors.

Cactus League plays host to 15 teams in nine cities and 10 stadiums throughout Arizona. In 2012, the three teams that played in the Scottsdale area, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants, placed first, second and third for league attendance. More than 186,828 fans attended the Diamondbacks’ games at Salt River Fields, followed by 182,565 attendees at the Rockies’ games and 168,320 attendees at the Giants’ games. In all, Cactus League events had an economic impact of about $422 million statewide and $364 million for Maricopa County.

In an effort to bolster leisure traffic to Scottsdale this spring training season, the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a variety of targeted ad campaigns in its top feeder markets including Denver and San Francisco.
Following the launch of the warm-weather campaign, which featured wrapping three New York subways, the bureau has unveiled exterior and interior ad placements on the Denver Light Rail to promote Scottsdale’s spring training season. An estimated 53 million riders will see the baseball-focused advertisements while commuting in Denver through March 28.

To further enhance the campaign, the bureau has also launched “30 Days of Giveaways,” a contest that allows visitors to enter once a day for a chance to win a variety of Scottsdale prizes, including restaurant gift certificates, a hot-air balloon ride for two, hotel stays for two, and an airplane ride over the city. In 2012, this contest received 1,460 entries, a number which is expected to increase this spring training season with the light rail wrap initiative and additional advertisements.

The bureau will also promote 2012 World Series Champions San Francisco Giants’ spring training season in the San Francisco market via Weather.com. Users who access Weather.com from a desktop or mobile app will see a banner ad, which will direct viewers to PlayBallinScottsdale.com. Spring training ads will also be featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, the second largest newspaper in the western United States.

New pages on the bureau’s site will help spring training fans plan their trip with information on nearby resorts and hotels, parking details and maps, dining options, plus information on Cactus League’s Legacy Trail and the bureau’s concierge service. With help from the bureau’s members, special spring training packages and coupons are also available to visitors.

Cactus League plays host to 15 teams in nine cities and 10 stadiums throughout Arizona. In 2012, the three teams that played in the Scottsdale area, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants, placed first, second and third for league attendance. More than 186,828 fans attended the Diamondbacks’ games at Salt River Fields, followed by 182,565 attendees at the Rockies’ games and 168,320 attendees at the Giants’ games. In all, Cactus League events had an economic impact of about $422 million statewide and $364 million for Maricopa County.

Are you ready for it? The 42nd Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl takes place Thursday, January 3, 2013, and we’ve provided our picks of the best places to Eat, Play and Stay around the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale — as well as the best places to be in the Valley for both Oregon and Kansas fans.

The 42nd Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl details:

WHO: No. 4 Oregon vs. No. 5 Kansas State
This is the only BCS bowl pitting two of the nation’s top 10 offenses.WHEN: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. MSTWHERE: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ

From Tostitos Fiesta Bowl’s website:

Combining to average 91.5 points (50.8 Oregon, 40.7 Kansas State) and 960.5 yards (550.1 Ducks, 410.4 Wildcats) per game, this could be the year the two-team Tostitos Fiesta Bowl single-game records for points (86 in 1996) and total yardage (1129 in 1972) is threatened.

The Ducks ranked in the top four slots of the BCS every week, climbing as high as No. 2 in early November, the same week the Big 12 Conference champion Wildcats reached No. 1. In the final BCS rankings, the Ducks and Wildcats finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Places to eat, play & stay around the stadium:

EAT

PLAY

STAY

Ducks & K-State Fan Zones & Pep Rallies:

OREGON DUCKS FAN ZONE:

Head to Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill in Tempe at Tempe Marketplace, the “Official Ducks Fan Zone” for this year’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

The Oregon Ducks Fan Zone Party will take place January 2 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests can participate in two live radio show broadcasts and enter for a chance to win two Fiesta Bowl tickets. The “Duck Insider Bowl Preview Show” will air live in Eugene, Oregon on the local sports station, “The Score” and will air live at goducks.com. Ducks gear will be given away throughout the day.

“With our roots in Oregon, this was a natural fit for us,” says John Plew, CEO of Thirsty Lion. “We are proud to be called the official home of the Ducks during this Fiesta Bowl event.”

PEP RALLY:

The UO Pep Rally will take place Wed., Jan. 2 at 3 p.m. at Salt River Fields’ main stadium field; doors open at 1 p.m.

Free entry includes access to the Fan Fest as well as live music, access to the Duck Store Merchandise shop, visits with Oregon VIPs, photos with the Duck, family friendly activities, the UO Marching Band, cheerleaders and more.

PEP RALLY:

The pep rally for the K-State football team will take place Wed., Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. at Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix; gates open at 1 p.m.

The rally is free and open to the public. The football team, coaches, band, cheerleaders, university dignitaries and Willie the Wildcat will participate. The K-State Bowl Bash, a post-pep rally event, will begin 30 minutes following the conclusion of the pep rally, also at Chase Field.

Tacos. Seems easy to make, right? All you need is a tortilla, some meat, cheese and salsa, and you’re ready to eat. But, here in Arizona, tacos are much more than that. It takes a true culinary artist to create a taco that’s unique — craved, even. And this weekend, in a two-day event, some of Arizona’s best culinary artists are battling it out to create the perfect taco.

The annual Arizona Taco Festival features taco specialists statewide competing against one another in the taco competition. More than 50 judges will taste every taco presented at the festival and cast their votes for the competition’s best taco.

One of the fan favorites is Rubio’s, a returner to the Arizona Taco Festival. So, we spoke with owner Ralph Rubio, who shared his thoughts about the competition:

Q. What is your favorite part of the competition?

A. Our favorite part of the competition is sampling our favorite tacos to all of the guests that attend the event. This year we will be sampling our Mango Habanero Pacific Mahi Mahi taco as well as our Salsa Verde Shrimp taco. We love seeing the reaction of the guests who are trying our tacos for the first time or who are so excited to see their favorite taco at the festival. We also love presenting our tacos to the judges and the anticipation to see if we won in any of the categories.

Q. What tacos will you be entering into the contest?

We will also be entering in the competition for salsa, guacamole and booth design.

Q. What is your favorite Rubio’s taco?

A. My favorite Rubio’s taco is the Original Fish Taco on a corn tortilla with picante salsa. I am also a huge fan of our shrimp grilled gourmet taco.

Q. How would you describe Rubio’s?

A. Rubio’s is a fun, friendly, colorful place to get amazing, delicious seafood dishes like the Original Fish Taco.

Q. What makes Rubio’s tacos different than other competitors at the AZ Taco Festival?

A. While there are a lot of fresh, Mexican grill concepts out there, Rubio’s is the world leader in fish taco sales; and while we do sell a lot of chicken burritos, we are focused on seafood, and we’re doing it like no one else. That’s what differentiates us.

We are also known for our flavorful food, and we take great pride in our passion for flavor, which is represented in our menu options.

The AZ Taco Festival takes place on October 20-21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Salt River Fields in Scottsdale and is open to the public. General admission costs $12, and all tacos cost $2. The event will feature live entertainment and more than 50,000 tacos.

For more information about the Arizona Taco Festival, visit aztacofestival.com.

Given the choice, in fact, most women would choose George Clooney over Charlie Sheen any day of the week. Not to mention that all-time good guys Tom Hanks, Larry Fitzgerald and Phil Mickelson all look a lot happier than Nicolas Cage, Jesse James and Tiger Woods do these days.

So, why not show that special lady in your life just how good you can be by whisking her off to one of the many fabulous fall events focused on helping the local community?

Judging from these events, being a good boy has never looked so sexy.

Olive & Ivy Pink Light District — October 1 to 31

Real men think — and drink — pink.

This October, as we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Olive & Ivy is giving men throughout Scottsdale the chance to show their pinker side to the ladies in their lives with the addition of a “Pink Light District Menu” all month long.

“We have partnered with Belvedere Vodka and Chandon to create one of the most extravagant pink-themed menus in the Valley,” says Anita Walker of Fox Restaurant Concepts.

A portion of the proceeds from this menu throughout the entire month, including both fabulous food and delectable drink items, will be donated to the Arizona Institute for Breast Health’s Pink Light District, which glows just outside the restaurant patio each year starting on October 4.

“Throughout October, members of the Scottsdale community and beyond are invited to join the cause through this amazing menu, and can also sponsor their own pink light in honor of or in memory of a loved one touched by cancer as part of our annual Pink Light District too,” says Dr. Coral Quiet, co-founder of Arizona Institute for Breast Health, a local nonprofit organization headquartered in Scottsdale whose mission is to provide women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer a second opinion on treatment options completely free of charge.

Dinner under this pink glow of hope will soften any girl’s heart.

For more information about Olive & Ivy Pink Light District: aibh.org

The Weekend Jetaway — November 9

Private jet? Check!
Couture cocktails? Check!
Vegas vibe? Check!

This fall, set in a top-secret private jet hangar at the Scottsdale Airpark, is the first-ever Weekend Jetaway. The event will feature live music and gourmet food provided by some of Scottsdale’s top restaurants as well as cocktails, wine, beer and much more. During the glamorous evening, all guests will have the opportunity to try their luck with Vegas-style games of chance with one lucky group of winners earning the grand prize — an all-inclusive getaway on a private jet.

“Our aim was to model this after successful fly-away events being held across the nation,” says Dillan Micus, executive vice president of AXA Advisors, LLC – Southwest, title sponsor of the event. “And if you aren’t one of our lucky ‘jetaway’ winners, we’re also cooking up expansive silent and live auctions for everyone to leave feeling like a winner.”

The biggest winner of the evening, however, will be the Pat Tillman Foundation and other nonprofit beneficiaries of the event.

Play — November 10

Plan now to Play all night with one of the Valley’s newest music and taste events. Set to kick off just after sunset at Salt River Fields, Play will feature a concert headlined by “Take Me Home Tonight” singer Eddie Money and will kick off with a sky full of fireworks. Plus, ultimate VIP tickets, which include access to an ultra-private post-event bonus concert, are also available. Hello, romance!

Restaurant and spirit vendors from all over the Valley will also offer a variety of gourmet foods and the opportunity to sample new wines from Butterfly Kiss, Rose’N’Blum and Stark Raving as well as premium spirits from Ketel One and Bulleit, among others. All event proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

“Through events like this, our Clubs are able to raise critical funds needed to offer more than 100 youth development programs emphasizing five core areas: the arts; character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; and sports, fitness and recreation,” says Steve Davidson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.”

Independence Day Music Festival (Scottsdale)

On July 3rd, celebrated the fourth with country music star Miranda Lambert and Darus Rucker! Gates open at 5 p.m., and be sure to stick around for the largest fireworks show in the Valley, too. Tickets range from $26 to $96.

3rd of July Fireworks Display (Cave Creek)

In Cave Creek, Harold’s Corral will provide live entertainment by Young Country and EastonAshe as well as an outside BBQ starting at 5:30 p.m. Mobile game truck, shaved ice and even face painting are some of the activities you can participate in. There’s free opening seating, but for paid reserved seating, call Harold’s at (480) 488-1906.

A Star Spangled Shoot Out!

Rawhide is hosting its 4th of July celebration — western style! With live music will be playing throughout the town, don’t miss out on the H2O Kids Corral as well as other action-packed performances, including the fireworks display, which will round out the evening.

Benson July 4th Celebration

Starting with a 9 a.m. parade, Benson’s 4th of July celebration will also include a water fight at Lions Park following the parade, as well as entertainment throughout the rest of the day and, of course, a fireworks show starting at 8:30 p.m.

Family Fun July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza (Tubac)

Held at Tubac Golf Resort and Spa, this 4th of July celebration is packed with activities for both the kids, parents and attendees of all ages! Here, you’ll find Southern Arizona’s longest obstacle course — an incredible, inflatable 68′ adventure — as well as a food court with both Independence Day favorites (hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy and more) and alcoholic beverages for the big kids, including beer, wine and margaritas. The night will end, of course, with a spectacular fireworks display.

Prescott July 4th Celebration and Fireworks Show

Prescott celebrates with free craft tents for kids, contests, carnival games and cool giveaways. Other events include the World’s Largest Waterslide as well as eight other water slides, bungee jumping, pony rides, electric swings and more. While there is free parking, consider taking the shuttle at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (3700 Willow Creek Rd.). This event will be held at Pioneer Park, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tlaquepaque’s Sizzlin’ Summer Bash

Honor Independence Day in Sedona on July 7th. Events include an outdoor BBQ, live music, dunk tank, Sedona fire trucks and more. It will take place at Tiaquepaque from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is a free event.

On March 1, AZRE hosted the 7th Annual RED Awards reception at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix to recognize the most notable commercial real estate projects of 2011 and the construction teams involved. AZRE held an open call for nominations and a record 116 projects were submitted by architects, contractors, developers and brokerage firms in Arizona. This year, the winner for Most Challenging Project was Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

The first major league spring training ballpark to be built on Native American land, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is a sports complex engaging community involvement while embracing the values and culture of the SRPMIC. The challenge was to meet an aggressive construction schedule in anticipation of the start of spring training for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Sitting on 140 acres, the project’s centerpiece is an 11,000-seat stadium. The design and building process took less than two years as a result of a complete team effort between Mortenson Construction, HKS and the tribe. The team at Salt River Fields also placed emphasis on energy and water preservation. Water-saving techniques reduced usage by more than 45% and the energy savings of 23.5%.